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Australia
Early Childhood Teacher salary guide Australia 2026
The typical Early Childhood Teacher salary in Australia is $81,000, with pay ranging from $73,000 at entry level to $90,000 for experienced practitioners.
Overview
What does an Early Childhood Teacher earn?
The median salary of Early Childhood Teachers in Australia is $81,000. Starting positions typically sit around $73,000, while senior professionals holding leadership responsibilities can earn up to $90,000. Most roles across the early learning sector fall within the typical range of $73,000–$90,000.
Location
Early Childhood Teacher salary by city
Location plays a notable role in early childhood remuneration across Australia. Major capital cities such as Sydney and Melbourne often present different pay rates compared to regional centres.
What drives salary
Factors that affect Early Childhood Teacher pay
Several key factors influence where your pay sits within the sector. Understanding these elements helps you target higher-paying opportunities and plan your professional growth.
Holding an approved Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and maintaining current teacher registration directly positions you for higher award tiers and specialist positions.
Pay rates can differ between Long Day Care services, sessional kindergartens and independent school preschools depending on funding models and enterprise agreements.
Stepping into an Educational Leader role or driving curriculum compliance under the National Quality Framework usually attracts an allowance or a higher base salary.
Your depth of classroom experience and reflective practice helps you progress up the multi-tier pay scales set by modern awards and agreements.
Services in regional and remote communities frequently offer higher compensation packages to attract degree-qualified teachers away from major metropolitan centres.
Comparison
How Early Childhood Teachers compare to related roles
Comparing your earnings against related roles provides a clear view of the broader education landscape. While Early Childhood Educators and Family Support Workers focus on daily care and community support, qualified Teachers and Trainer and/or Assessors often work under different funding agreements.
| Role | Range | Relative | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teacher | $88,000–$118,000 | $104,000 | |
| Counsellor | $83,000–$101,000 | $91,000 | |
| Trainer and/or Assessor | $73,000–$97,000 | $82,000 | |
| Family Support Worker | $73,000–$90,000 | $82,000 | |
| Early Childhood Teacher You are here | $73,000–$90,000 | $81,000 |
Employment Hero Job Data
Salary figures are derived from Employment Hero proprietary data. All figures represent base salary only and exclude bonuses, superannuation and other benefits. Last updated September 2026.
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